Issue 30, March 2015 Winchmore Hill Baptist Church Magazine

Issue030

Andy’s message

Announcements and news of the family

Missionary news

Church News

Feature

Diary

Poem

Contents

Flower rota and services

ContributorsAndy PotterAndrew ForsterRachel ForsterBinnie WestonJenny LaneJean DanielsCarolyn GreenawayRaymond Ong

Philip NormanVeronicaInez Collins

Editors note

Welcome to another edition of Spotlight

We’ve entered the first days of Lent and so let’s during these 40 days, think of Jesus and his strength of character, his determined will and his faith in God as he endured the those 40 days and nights in the wilderness. We should all use his strength as inspiration to see us through our own challenges in Life.

God Bless, Derek and Serena

The copy deadline for the December issue of Spotlight is Friday 20th March 2015

Cover image - In The Wilderness, Ron DiCianni Inside Image - Cathedral, Nicki Ann Matthews

As I write this, we are already into Lent – the six week period when we prepare for Easter. As many of you will know, it is my belief that Lent is not meant to be about denial and sacrifice but about transformation. It begins with the recognition and acknowledgment that we are weak, desperate and needy people who need God to transform us.

The good news, of course, is that God desires to do that very thing. The gospel centres on God’s desire to save and transform all. This involves not just our reconciliation to Christ, but also our inner transformation whereby we are increasingly formed in the image of Christ such that God’s great plan for reconciliation becomes central to all we are and do.

This year in our Sunday services our theme is ‘His Story, Our Story.’ In these sermons we will be reflecting on the ‘big picture’ of God’s dealings with humanity, leading up to the events of that first Easter. My hope is that we will understand better how Easter fits in with that great plan of reconciliation.In the meantime, I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will draw us closer to God in this season and prepare us to celebrate Easter as those for whom Christ died and rose again.

Shalom,

Andy

Sundays in MarchSunday 1st March, Morning Worship led by Andy Sunday 8th March, Morning Worship led by Andy Sunday 15th March, Communion Service led by Andy Sunday 22nd March, Morning Worship led by Andy Sunday 29th March,Morning Worship led by Andy. (This service will include the dedication of the new diaconate.

Shalom,Andy

Message from Andy

Peter and Janet Dallman, Japan.Peter and Janet were to have celebrated their wedding anniversary!

It has been snowing in Sapporo and it was snowing on the day that Peter and Janet helped to welcome the new missionary family into their new flat. However at least it was not a blizzard on that day!

Please continue to pray for Pete and Janet’s friend who is very ill. Please also pray for energy and strength for Pete and Janet in all they do.

May all the missionaries called to Japan be supported so that they can continue to be there and may many Japanese find God, the father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

Betty Caplin, South Africa. Betty sends her thanks for the “lovely Christmas card” with all our signatures which reminds her of our care and prayers (it can take some time for post to arrive when it is sent from South Africa – this letter was recently received).

Betty’s church is hoping to call a new minister soon. May the Lord give his guidance and build up his work here.

Recently Betty enjoyed the prayer days at the Mission Station near Pretoria. She traveled by bus and each way had good traveling companions. On one of the journeys she had a conversation with a young man who is not yet a believer in Jesus Christ going up to university who was asking Betty questions about the Bible, for example abut the Triune God. May the Lord bring this young man to himself.

Betty has started visiting schools again. Please pray that many of the children will come to understand the true grace of God.

It is an adventure to travel with the Lord, and a blessing! Betty writes that there is so much to praise the Lord for here! There are plans to turn the tide on crime in the Bergville area! Pray that Anna, Betty’s neighbor may be encouraged by this news and may come to know the Lord. A meeting about this community project was to take place on the 5 February. Betty understood that it would be a spiritual project strongly involving the Bible and was hoping to attend.

Missionary newsBy Rachel Forster

We’re collecting Active Kid VouchersHelp us by bringing in the Active Kids vouchers which are being given out in Sainsbury’s stores, please put your vouchers in the box in the vestibule. Our target this year is 6000 vouchers which I hope we will be able to reach.For more details please speak to Philip Norman.

A prayer - Inez CollinsLord, help me to glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol you by spending them for you ; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve you; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no greater love but Thine, and glow

with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord ,show me what that is, and help me to work out my life purpose; I cannot do much ; but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, \ cast my time and eternity too into Thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify Thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have. Amen.

Pancake Party - Rachel ForsterThis is an open invitation to the ladies of our congregation to join Veronica and Rachel for a pancake making session. Bring your own saucepan, make, decorate an enjoy your own pancakes using the ingredients provided. Then enjoy the food and company!

The evening is planned for the Thursday 19th March at Rachel Forster’s place, starting at 7.30pm.

Interested? Please sign up on the sign up sheet in the vestibule if you would like to come. If there is space you can also bring a friend. If you would like more information do come and chat to Veronica or Rachel.

New online resource 40 days of Home Mission - Raymond Ong40 days of Home Mission features one story for each of the 40 days leading up to Easter with stories, prayers an photos of the creative ways that churches that have received Home Mission Funding have been reaching out. Beginning on Tuesday 17th February each of the stories are to appear on www.baptist.org.uk/40days. Could you set aside some time to discover and be inspired by these stories and to lift the situations to God in prayer?

Look out for the regular links to each story via Fecebook and Twitter, or ask a friend to print out the downloadable ‘Fact File’ for each story.

Church news

PSALM 23 - JAPANESE VERSION

The Lord is my pace-setter, I will not rush,

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness

Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency

Through Calmness of mind,

And His guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day

I will not fret, for His presence is here.

His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity.

By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,

For I shall walk in the Peace of my Lord,

And dwell in His house for ever.

Contributed by Jenny Lane

FeatureProject Report N:Flame TrustThe N:Flame Trust is a UK registered youth work charity established to serve churches and secondary schools in the North London area

CELEBRATIONSOur monthly celebrations have been running since 1999 and are aimed at those aged 13+ throughout north London. They are run in a local church that is transformed into an inviting ‘youth space’ where all chairs are removed, the room is decorated with wall hangings and stage lighting is used to enhance the atmosphere. Worship is in the style of Soul Survivor and is led by a full band. There are various items such as games, testimonies, drama, dance, but most importantly the event builds up to a talk from a guest speaker followed by an opportunity for the young people to respond and be prayed with by members of our prayer team.

The past two years have seen some exciting developments and the establishment of a new team of young leaders. Teenagers have stepped up to host the event and make up the majority of the worship band and this has helped to bring a fresh and dynamic feel to the event as well as encouraging them to use and develop their gifts and abilities. There is also a greater togetherness in the team, including those who do the set up and run the sound and lighting.

Alongside this development there has been a rise in the quality of the event but this has not been translated into a growth in numbers attending as yet. This might reflect the drop in the number of young people attending church generally and although the younger team has helped to create a more dynamic event there is the need for an increase in older leaders who will take on the task of creating connections with a wider circle of church leaders.

LEADERSHIP AND EVANGELISM TRAININGEach year we run a Leadership and Evangelism Training Course (LET) for those between 14 and 18 years of age. The programme is designed to give teenagers very practical training in the skills and disciplines of being an effective follower of Jesus, developing leadership skills and equipping them to share their faith.

Each LET weekend concludes with the n:flame monthly celebration and the course itself culminates with a week of mission in the summer holidays called n:serve.

The mini-weekend format to LET has now been running for three years and has allowed more volunteers to get involved and enabled the Gap Year students to use this opportunity as a valuable context to hone their youth work skills. In addition, the number of young people attending the course has risen year on year and it has been great to see so many flourish and grow in their faith. Several young people have chosen to do the course again underlining the popularity and strength of the format in both practical discipleship and building friendships.

The course is constantly being tweaked and refined and it has been heartening to see some new speakers leading the workshops particularly some who once did the course as young people. Again, the challenge is to communicate the benefits of the course to more churches so more young people can be involved and apply the training to their life in their own churches, among their friends at school and in the home.

N:SERVEThis project runs once a year at the beginning of the summer for just over one week and commences with a weekend of training to prepare young people for a week of mission. Once the training has been completed the young people are then sent out to work on various teams across north London.

This July 35 young people spent a week joining six churches as they connected with their local communities sharing the good news in words, works and wonders. The six teams that were part of this project varied from setting up holiday clubs to clearing gardens, from running a cafe to door to door work

and from helping lead a Make Lunch project to hosting an activities week.

The week concludes with a final celebration when members of the teams shared stories from their week of adventuring with God. It was great to hear how time and again young people from each team had grown in confidence and faith as they stepped out of the safety of their comfort zones and trusted God through serving others and living for Jesus in activities they thought they could never do.

The team who runs the equipping weekend and oversees the missions teams has built up a strong core of expertise and a recent MA study by one of the team into the underlying concept of missional discipleship has enabled the young adult team leaders to be far better prepared. There is a strong desire to continue the process and to capture the way in which n:serve has developed in order that others can join in and eventually take on this initiative.

SCHOOLS WORKAt n:flame we have had the privilege of working in schools across north London for over 15 years now, taking assemblies, RE and PSHE lessons, Ethical and Cultural Studies as well as helping Christian students set up lunchtime Christian groups.

This past year has been one of incredible opportunities and the team has been busier than ever. We have been able to create and provide a range of services to schools all of which have been very well received.

In addition to assemblies and a host of lessons we have run interactive workshops on understanding and responding to poverty, lessons on subjects from worship to human trafficking and from the existence of God to abortion and the sanctity of life. These have been backed up in many schools with regular lunchtime clubs and we hope to be involved again with a group of Year 10 students on work experience, equipping and supporting them as they run a series of workshops for primary aged children. Furthermore, we are hoping to co-lead a day conference on post-school options with a local Academy.

The challenge we face is that demand is outstripping our ability to respond. The need is to make financial provision so that some of our excellent experienced volunteers can commit to work with us on a weekly basis and then recruit, train and work with a larger number of volunteers.

THE GAPOur Gap Year Programme is now in its thirteenth year and is a great experience for those wanting to stretch themselves, move out of their comfort zone and discover more about themselves and God.

The Government changes to student funding have led to sixth form students choosing to go directly to university which was making this part of our work less certain. However, we have now established a link with GVS in Germany which provides a core group of students each year which allows us to annually plan ahead with certainty and this year we have six full-time students and two part-time.

In addition we have now established a full programme of class based and practical training which enables the young adults on the scheme to grow through a range of challenges and opportunities. Each year we see the students grow in knowledge, faith, gifting, ability and confidence.

The challenge ahead is to create ways in which young people from London can access the course. We find that those from less well off families do not have the ability to fund a gap year. We would like to be able to offer some sort of bursary for young people whose parents are first or second generation immigrant families as this would be a great way to open this opportunity to a wider group of students.

Congratulations to Peter and Janet Dallman who celebrate their 21st Wedding Anniversary on 5th March. We pray the Lord’s continued blessing on them at this special time.

Hazel March continues to settle into her new home in Peterborough. She is very happy in the Open Door Baptist Church where there is a lovely atmosphere and the folk are very friendly and helpful and many give her a lift to church or take her shopping, for which she is very grateful. Prayers are being answered and many more people are coming to the church. There is a small group of young people plus many in their 40s and 50s. They have a weekly food bank at the church where counselling is also offered to those in need including a German girl who was befriended by the Pastor and his wife, who took her home. She has been living with them for the past year. Hazel is now linked with her and is hoping to help her. We pray the Lord’s blessing on them both as the friendship develops so that Hazel will be able to share her testimony with her.

Hazel had a cataract operation recently and praises God that it was successful and she can now read without glasses. Her main problem is that she is lacking in energy and also gets breathless. She wonders if she should have a scan to check the root of the problem. Her walking has deteriorated but she is still able to reach a small local supermarket and the doctor. She is glad to get to the church and the prayer meeting. This month the church is concentrating on healing and wholeness. Hazel sends her

Announcements and News of the familyWritten by Jenny Lane

love to those at WHBC and we pray God’s blessing on her in every way.

Keith Richardson has been very poorly recently and has been admitted to Chase Farm Hospital where he is slowly responding to the medication. We pray for Keith for a full recovery and for Barbara as she seeks to support him at this difficult time. May they both be surrounded by God’s love in a special way.

The Potter family continue to need our prayers: Andy for strength wisdom and guidance day by day, Sarah as she seeks to help her mother in Preston and the rest of the family with their various needs, especially Esther as the hospital seeks to find the root of her pain and discomfort. May the Lord bless them richly in every way.

It was good to see Janet and Derek Hann and Janet Dallman’s mother Irene at the OMF conference on 3 February.

Nesta Gibbs has suffered considerable arthritic pain recently but goes to the hospital for an infusion soon. We pray it will bring her great relief. Others in need of prayer for various reasons include Jean Blaxland and her daughter-in-law Susan recovering from a stroke, Joy and Arthur, Winnifred Hines, Dorothy Wisdom, Audrey Norman, Maureen Owers, and Rose Thompson.

May God bless them all in their time of need.Veronica would like to thank you for coming to her 60th tea party and to those who made me special cards and all the presents. she really enjoyed having good friends around. Veronica says It was such a memorable day and on Sunday the surprise cake which she loved A big thank you again.

Veronica is thankful for those who have been helping to make the tea and coffee and who have been covering for her. She also asks if anyone would like to continue helping in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. She plans to make a rota , so please speak to her if interested.

Being a Christian LeaderA Christian Leader Works with Others to build the team, develop Individualsand complete the task.

Four things become quickly apparent. As a leader...

1. You do not work alone. Whether you are the senior leader, one leader amongst other leaders, or a lone-leader overseeing a group, you do not, indeed cannot, achieve success by yourself.

2. You must build the team. Unlike Jack Bauer in “24”, completing the mission is not everything. The team is important. They are people. They have feelings. They have legitimate needs. As a leader, you must help build the sense of belonging or fellowship amongst the group.

3. You must develop individuals. Hopefully the mission or task will be completed. But are the individuals who helped achieve it wiser, more able, more confident in God, more equipped than when they started out with you? Are they ready for bigger and more daunting challenges in the future?

4. There is a task, or a project, and it needs to be completed. A happy team that fails to achieve its main goal usually ends-up a miserable team. So achieving the goal is important. (However, there are exceptions to this: sometimes a team gives a project its best shot, and it just doesn’t work out. In such circumstances one learns, grows and moves forward. Indeed failure can be the spring-board to greater success.)

Application: This definition of what leaders do gives rise to five, simple, sets of questions that a good leader will regularly ask him or herself. Why not put them in your journal for regular review, or on your group’s Agenda as a recurring discussion item?

Others: Am I slipping into Lone Ranger mentality? Who are my other leaders? Do I pray for them? When was the last time I encouraged them? Team: What are doing to build the sense of team in our group or church? What are we doing that is damaging the sense of being a team? Individuals: What are we doing to identify and develop specific individuals in the team? What am I doing? What could we do over the next 12 months? Have we thought and prayed about who might benefit from mentoring or training? Task: What is our primary task? Have we defined it clearly? Do we communicate it to the team? Have we thought about what specific goals would be appropriate as markers along the way? How are we doing in achieving our aim? How do we know? Overall: Are we holding Team, Task and Individual Development in balance?

By The Revd Darren Blaney is Pastor of Herne Bay Baptist ChurchOriginally printed in the Baptist Times

Gems from my DadFirstly, thank you to those who responded with positive feedback to my article last month. It means a lot to me to know that Dad’s thoughts and ideas can still be an encouragement to others. This month, I have drawn from the section of his card index file entitled.

Christian Life – FaithThe rector was preaching a sermon on the relationship between ‘fact’ and ‘faith’.

‘That you are sitting in front of me in church is a fact’ he said. ‘That I am speaking to you from the pulpit is fact. But it is only faith that makes me believe that any of you are listening!’

And on the same theme:

A climber fell off a cliff. As he tumbled down into the deep gorge he grabbed hold of a small branch. ‘Help!’ he shouted. ‘Is there anyone up there?’

A deep majestic voice from the sky echoed through’ the gorge. ‘I will help you my son, but first you must have faith in me.’

‘All right, I trust in you.’ answered the man. The voice replied, ‘Let go of the branch.’

There was a long pause and the man shouted again, ‘Is there anyone else up there?’

Doubt sees the obstacles, faith sees the wayDoubt sees the darkest night, faith sees the dayDoubt dreads to take a step, faith soars on highDoubt questions, ’who believes?’ Faith answers ‘I’.

And finally……………

On the mantel of the Hind’s Head Hotel at Bray-On-Thames, Berkshire, is this inscription:

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.

A.W Tozer expresses faith in these terms, ‘Where there is no expectancy there is no faith. Real faith is not the stuff that dreams are made of; rather it is practical and altogether realistic, seeing the invisible but not the non-existent.

Carolyn Greenaway

PoemIn the Midstby Margaret C Mullins

In the midst of my painDo not allow my living be in vain.For I must not kick and shoveI must be harmless as a dove.Yet I need Your wisdom from aboveFor the storms are raging and the watersThreaten to over take me...the darkClouds are gathering...but in the midstOf it all I see a glimmer of light..yes!In the midst of the angry billows, the lightIs getting even brighter.

In the midst.. I see you Oh Lord the LoverOf my soul, who in the midst brings peaceTo my soul. Calming all my fears in the midst!You bring me joy in the midst of my pain.For in the midst of my sorrow You have madeMe to dance before You..and Oh the joyThat overflows my soul in the midst of thisWealthy place you have brought me into!

Church services

Regular activities

The AGM replaces the ordinary Church Meeting in March

Brigade Activities

Diary - March 2015

1st 10.30 Morning Worship led by Andy8th 10.30 Morning Worship led by Andy15th 10.30 Communion Service led by Andy22nd 10.30 Morning Worship led by Andy29th 10.30 Morning Worship led by Andy

Wednesday 4th 10.30am Fellowship GroupWednesday 4th 8pm Midweek@WHBC - Bible StudySaturday 7th 9am Prayer BreakfastWednesday 11th 10.30am Prayer MeetingWednesday 11th 8.15pm Deacons' MeetingWednesday 18th 10.30am Fellowship Group

Wednesday 18th 8pm Midweek@WHBC - SocialWednesday 25th 10.30am Prayer MeetingThursday 26th 2.30pm Thursday Afternoon Club Saturday 28th 4pm Annual General Meeting

Mondays 7pm Boys' Brigade (Company and Seniors)Tuesdays 6pm Girls' Brigade (all sections)Thursdays 6pm Boys' Brigade (Anchor and Juniors)

1st March - Faith Shaw8th March - Binnie and Doug Weston15th March - Dorothy Wisdom22nd March - Free29th March - Free

If you would like to feedback your thoughts on Spotlight or to contribute any stories or announcements, please email spotlight.wbc@gmail.com Digital PDF versions of spotlight can be sent on request, please email us if you would like one.

Copies by Post: Mrs Binnie Weston, 28 Seaforth Gardens, N21 3BSPhone: 020 8886 3239. Email: danebweston@talktalk.net

Winchmore Hill Baptist Church extends a warm welcome to all with an invitation to services, meetings and activities.The Minister is available for spiritual counsel and for discussion about baptism and church membership.

www.winchmorehillbaptistchurch.org.uk

Minister: Revd Andy Potter MSc, MTh 020 8882 2807andywithsarah@outlook.comDay off: Saturday

Secretary: Mr Andrew Forster020 8351 1744mail@andrewforster.co.uk33 Winchester Close EN1 2ES

Treasurer: Ian Blunn020 8807 9445ian@blunns.freeserve.co.uk41 Ulster Gardens, N13 5DP

Flower Rota (March 2015)

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)